Looking into moving to Alaska? Have you been talking to family and friends about the relocation and unsure of what decision you should make? Moving to Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is a huge decision, and there are many myths about the relocation. Below are some common myths about moving to Alaska. If moving to Alaska is your dream, don’t let these top two myths stop you, after all, they are myths!

It’s Cold All Year Round

If you mention Alaska to someone a topic that is sure to come up in conversation is its climate. Alaska’s climate is associated with cold temperatures. For most of the year, Alaska’s temperatures can reach below freezing, and you can expect to see snowfall anywhere from October to April. However, it is not cold all year round. Summer months in Alaska can reach temperatures well above freezing. In fact, in July and August, you can expect to see temperatures in the 70 degrees Fahrenheit range, specifically in the southern towns. There has also been some state records of high temperatures. Prospect Park has the statewide record of high temperatures with 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Fort Yukon holds the record of highest temperatures for 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wild Wildlife

Alaska is known for its wildlife, but don’t let your fear of seeing wildlife out in the everyday world stop you from moving to Alaska. Yes, Alaska is home to polar bears, grizzly bears, and black bears, but they do not run rampant in Alaska. First, polar bears live along Alaska’s arctic coastlines, which is far from human habitats and housings. However, you can expect to see grizzly bears and black bears as they are a bit more common. Due to this, Alaska has set up “bear- proof” metal garbage containers throughout the towns in order to mask any garbage smells that may peak the interest of these bears.

Many parts of Alaska are rural and are located outside the bustling towns and cities. While many who live here enjoy the countryside and its quietness, the rural communities do bring about a challenge. Many rural areas do not have any DMV offices nearby, so where does one get a license? Alaska now offers off highway licenses. The challenge many young adults were running into was finding employment when many jobs require a driver’s license. As a result, the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles offered an additional service to its rural residents. Off highway licenses allow the driver to drive on roads that are not connected to the Alaska State highway system, and on roads that are not connected to a highway with heavy daily traffic. Best of all, since DMV offices aren’t located near rural communities, individuals can get off- highway licenses through the mail. Although your off-highway license will have no photograph, it is still a valid license for off- roads.

Interested in off highway licenses? In order to get an off- highway license, you will need the following completed, which is all the typical licensing requirements except the road test:

• Pass the written portion and vision test

• Pay the fee

• Provide original legal documents that verify your date of birth, social security number, and identity

• No skills (road) test is required

Alaska also offers an off highway commercial driver’s license. Alaska is the only state that offers this opportunity to its residents. The requirements are pretty much the same, with the addition of passing the commercial motor vehicle driver general knowledge test.

If a resident obtains an off highway license because they live in a rural area, but then decides to move to a more populated city, he/she is able to remove the off highway restriction. In order to do this, the individual would need to complete a road test at the DMV office.

Looking to relocate to a rural area of Alaska? Contact us today for your car shipment needs.

Celebrating Fourth of July in Alaska is a celebration like no other. Alaska is known for its wildlife and outdoor activities, and with July’s temperatures, it makes it a day and experience to remember. Summertime in Alaska is warm, and the sun shines for almost 19 hours a day. If you will be celebrating Fourth of July in Alaska this year, be sure to add visiting Anchorage to your list. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, and there is so much to do. Your day here in Anchorage will be packed with fireworks, sport games, food, and fireworks. The parade in Anchorage includes time period costumes from the Revolution and is a family- fun experience for everyone. If you are feeling active on this festive day, you can take part in Mount Marathon annual Fourth of July race. The Mount Marathon Race starts in downtown Anchorage and goes all way up to Seward and then back. Many people come from all over Alaska to take part in this patriotic race, while others travel just to watch. Fourth of July in Alaska wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Fairbanks. A day in Fairbanks will keep you busy all day long. Here, you will have fun with tons of entertainment, food, music, fireworks, baseball games, fishing, hiking, and even an Independence Day 5k run. While you’re in Alaska, why not combine two popular United States holidays- Fourth of July and Christmas? Luckily for you, the North Pole is in Alaska, and it loves to celebrate Fourth of July. Just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska has its very own holiday- themed town. From Christmas theme streets, restaurants, and shops, you can experience Christmas in July. The North Pole sets up a Fourth of July festival that includes many activities such as “The Amazing Race,” a pancake breakfast, a children’s bike decorating contest, and a parade. There are over 50 vendors that have food, games, and entertainment.

Running into your house real quick? Doing a quick errand that will only take a few minutes? Why not just park your car and leave your engine running? Known as idling, what do the experts say about whether to idle or not to idle? Idling your car creates pollution and is not necessary. Idling your car for just ten seconds wastes more gas than shutting off your car and restarting your engine.

To idle or not to idle so that my car can warm up? One of the major misconceptions about your engine is that it needs a warm up. Today’s cars and engines do not need any sort of “warm up”, even in winter months. The best way to “warm up” your car and engine is to ease into your driving. Rather than revving your engine and picking up speed right away, ease into your driving, and within a few seconds, your engine will be warmed and ready to go. Your engine warms up twice as quickly when driving than sitting and idling.

Okay, so your car’s engine doesn’t need to be warmed up, but what about the interior of your car? To idle or not to idle so my seats and interior can become warm? Idling your car so that you can warm up the interior increases pollution and dirty exhaust. Similar to your car’s engine, the best way to warm up the interior of your car is to drive it. If it is crucial that you warm you your interior prior to driving, then it is best to wait inside your house or building until your car is warmed, rather than sitting inside the idling car. However, don’t idle for too long, as idling can actually increase the overall wear and tear of your engine since it is operating longer than necessary.

What Are the Best Months in Alaska?

Alaska’s summer months are from mid- May to mid- September, making peak season mid- June to mid- August. Therefore, June, July, and August fall into the best months in Alaska to visit. Days during these months are considerably longer, which allows you to jam pack your days with activities.

May is considered one of the best months in Alaska because you can experience Alaska and all it has to offer without the huge crowds that occur during peak season. In May, you can explore Alaska with reduced crowds, lower fairs, and better climate to view wildlife. The reason wildlife viewing is better is due to the fact that it is not too hot yet for them. One wildlife you can expect to see in May is the humpback whale.

June 21st is the longest day of the year in Alaska and the sky is lit up all night long. On this day the sun only sleeps for about 4 hours. With that, you can expect warmer temperatures, and a drier climate. June is the driest of all the months in Alaska. Even though the temperatures are on the rise, you can still expect to see lingering snow well into mid- June.

July is considered one of the best months in Alaska due to its temperatures. In July you will experience the warmest temperatures. The water can get up to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Alaskan King Salmon can be fished well into July and the waters have plentiful because July is peak for the fisheries. Since July is in the middle of peak season, you can expect to pay a bit more for hotels, excursions, and food. Places tend to charge more since they have a short season to make their money.

August is considered one of the best months in Alaska to see wildlife. You can expect to see black bears, grizzlies, and brown bears fishing for salmon in the rivers. In late August, thousands of Sandhill Cranes begin their migrate through Fairbanks. However, if you are going to be in Alaska for August, be sure to pack an umbrella or poncho. August is also known to be the rainiest month of all the summer months.

You think about which of the best months in Alaska works well for you, and let us worry about shipping your car there so you can enjoy all Alaska has to offer in the summer.

You’ve decided to book us to ship your car! Great! Now what? How do you prepare for your car shipment? The idea of car shipment can feel very overwhelming. In order to ensure you have a safe and damage free car shipment, you can take a few extra steps to prepare it.

There are two easy ways to check out the exterior of your car. First, wash it! By taking the time out to wash your car before shipment, you can check to see if there are any dings or scratches on the exterior. Cleaning the inside of your car will allow you to check over the seats. Once your car is freshly cleaned and you’ve taken a close eye to it, document it. Take pictures of the exterior of your car and any existing damage you may have. While you are at it, you should also be documenting the interior of you car. Keep your  pictures for your record and for pick up.

Most cars are very spacious and can fit many personal belongings. So since you are paying for car shipment, why not pack it with your belongings? Wrong! You should not leave any personal belongings in your car. Be sure to remove anything and everything that is valuable to you. Another key thing to remove is your toll tag. Even if you leave your toll tag inside of the glove compartment, there is a chance that the radar can pick up fees at each toll it passes. Also, speaking of emptying your car, it is a good idea to run down your gas tank to only ¼ full. Your car will be loaded onto a bed and gas will not be needed. Plus, a full tank of gas will add weight to the carrier.

What else can you do to prepare your car shipment? Check out the essentials: Is your inspection and registration up to date? Have you changed the oil recently? Do all of your tires have the appropriate amount of air? Do you the spare set of keys?

So, let us worry about getting your car shipped from point A to point B, and you worry about preparing your car for shipment!

Alaska is known for its picturesque landscapes. So, why not let us ship your RV to Alaska so that you can create your own itinerary and explore? An RV trip through Alaska will give you the opportunity to visit all its main attractions, while stopping and camping out at scenic destinations. Below are the best stops across the state that will make your RV trip through Alaska more than memorable.

Denali National Park

6 million acres of greenery. Denali National park is opened year round, with peak season running from May to early September. Throughout the park you’re likely to spot bears, moose, caribou. The park offers guided tours, helicopter rides, and kennels for sled dogs. There are a variety of onsite parking campgrounds: The Riley Creek Campground, Savage River Campground, and Teklanikia River Campground, with Riley Creek being opened year round. These campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.

The Santa Claus House

Add The Santa Claus House to your RV trip through Alaska itinerary. Located in North Pole, Alaska, this tiny city is in the Christmas spirit all year round .Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you can still experience its charm. Year round residents live on streets called Snowman Lane and Kris Kringle Drive. The Santa Claus House is its biggest attraction, and you can expect to see reindeer and Santa figures, and experience Christmas shopping, even in July. The Riverview RV Park on the Chena River is the campground in which you would park your RV. The campground even has on- site laundry facilities. Located just south of Fairbanks, you could also look for Fairbank campgrounds.

Northern Lights in Fairbanks

Looking for an unforgettable RV trip through Alaska? Fairbanks is home of the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights can be seen during any season, but is best in the late fall, winter, and early spring. Here you can park your RV and catch the breathing taking sky that illuminates in shades of aqua, green, yellow, and red. Fairbanks is known for its RV campgrounds. River’s Edge RV park has 167 sites and full hook ups. Chena River Wayside RV Park offers 56 sites and free WiFi.

So call us today for RV shipment quotes so you can start your RV trip through Alaska.

Looking to ship a car to Alaska?

Having a car that is suitable for Alaska’s extreme summers and winters, but also your lifestyle, is important.

When considering shipping your car to Alaska, there are some lifestyles you need to consider to ensure you have the best car for Alaska living. Whether you are going to drive a 4 wheel or 2 wheel, it is important to that your car has all wheel drive.  During the winter months, having an all wheel drive will ensure you have a safe drive. When considering which all wheel car to drive, station wagons are voted the best for Alaska living. If a 4 wheel drive is not for you, the good thing is most station wagons have the traction of a 4 wheel drive.  A station wagon will complete all of your needs- large enough to fit your family, small enough to not break the bank on gas. Two of most popular station wagons sought out by the Alaskans are the Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy Wagon. On the contrary, if you are plan on living in the mountains or working outdoors, then the best car for your lifestyle would a truck. Driving through Alaska’s wilderness in a truck will ensure your safety in high snowfall winters. The most popular truck for Alaska living is a pickup truck. Pickup trucks allow you the room to utilize your car for working outdoors, but also gets your to point A to point B in a timely fashion with its well structured wheels. However, not every pickup truck is made for Alaska’s icy, cold, and wet roads. One of the most popular pickup trucks for an Alaskan lifestyle is the Ford 150. So, whether you are looking to visit Alaska for the summer or winter months, let us help ship the best car that is suitable for your lifestyle.

You, your car, and 1,390 miles of highway! The Alaska Highway, which stretches from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Delta Junction near Fairbanks, Alaska, is known for its scenic views of snow- covered mountains, forests and wildflowers, and animals grazing along side road. Along the highway are many campgrounds and hotels for you to check in at after a long day of cruising. Here are some tips to ensure you and your car have a safe and memorable trip:

Tough Tires:

The roads are usually dusted with fresh powder snow. However, in times of blizzards and heavy snow conditions, you may want some tough tires. The reason for this is because salt is not allowed to be put down on Alaskan roads due to the risk of the salt entering the waterways and harming salmon. But don’t worry! Pick yourself up some studded tires, and you’ll be on your way to a smooth cruise down the Alaska Highway. Studded tires have little metal studs on them that are designed to dig into the ice and add traction.

Block Heaters:

With temperatures dropping below freezing in some months,  you will definitely be thinking of ways to keep warm. Don’t forget about your car! A block heater warms the engine in order to increase the chances that the engine will start the same despite cold weather. This will reduce the amount of time your car needs to warm up.

Battery Test:

Sometimes the cold can put stress on your car’s battery. In order to ensure a chaos- free cruise, check your battery prior to starting the highway with a battery test. A battery test will let you know if you need a recharge, repair, or replacement. So, before you start your cruise, give your car a little test.

Let us help you to get your car to Alaska, so that you can cruise miles and miles of highway!

For more information on the Alaska Highway, visit https://www.themilepost.com/articles/faq-driving-the-alaska-highway/.

Shipping a car to Alaska is simple, especially the Alaska Car Transport team. We answered some common questions in our Alaska car shipping guide, to help you prepare for your booking.

What do I need to set up my shipment?
• Year, Make & Model of the vehicle
• Vehicle Color
• Vehicle VIN Number
• License Plate Number (If available)

 How long will it take to ship my car?
Transit times vary depending on the origin and destination of your shipment. You can visit our transit times page to view delivery times for your specific route.

Can I track the progress of my shipment online?
Yes. Online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real-time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online anytime.

Can I have anything inside my vehicle when shipping?
If you would like to ship personal belongings inside your vehicle, it must be discussed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Your shipping coordinator will notate the weight of the personal items inside the vehicle and your rate will be updated to include personal belongings.

How do I pay for my shipment?
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, electronic transfer, money orders, and company checks. Payment must be made in full prior to the date of your shipment.

Are there size restrictions on shipping my vehicle?
The rates provided online apply to standard size vehicles. A standard size vehicle is defined as any passenger automobile not excedding 21’6″ length x 8′ width x 7′ height. If your vehicle is larger than the standard dimensions, please contact our oversize shipment department by calling (907) 331-3100 to receive a rate for your transportation.

How much gas can I have in my vehicle?
Less than 1/4 tank – no exceptions. This is a coast guard regulation (#176.905). Please note, we do not offer a siphoning service.
What is required on the date of my shipment?
• Copy of booking
• Set of keys
• Picture ID

How can I book my shipment?
For your convenience, you can book your shipment securely online  anytime. If you would prefer to set your shipment up with a shipping coordinator, please call (907) 331-3100 during normal business hours.